Romelu Lukaku has scored just once in his last 12 games for Manchester United

Lukaku got off to a flying start in a United shirt scoring 10 goals in his first nine games.

But since then the Belgian has suffered an unusual goalscoring drought, netting just once in his last 12 appearances.

Lukaku drew another blank in his side’s 3-1 win over Arsenal on Saturday and Campbell believes Ibrahimovic being back in contention is having an impact on the striker.

“Sometimes I’m thinking the person in the background, Zlatan, is kind of bothering him,” Campbell said, speaking to Astro Supersport after the game.

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“Sometimes I’m thinking the person in the background, Zlatan, is kind of bothering him”

Sol Campbell

“I don’t know because maybe he was the man, and always going to be picked, but [there’s] Zlatan, that big figure behind.

“And also I think sometimes [Jose Mourinho] has got to say ‘you’re the future’, you know, Zlatan is a fantastic player but he’s not going to be the future of Man United so I think there’s a little bit of psychology going on there because he’s a big figure, Zlatan.

“Lot’s of things are happening around him, a lot of things are feeding into him through Man United and Man United loves that because it’s a lot of promotion, a lot of sponsors and things like that.

“It’s good but for me, [Lukaku] is the main man. I think his edge is just taken off a little bit.”

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Zlatan Ibrahimovic is back in contention for United after recovering from a knee injury

Campbell revealed which of United’s star strikers he’d prefer to face at this present time and also suggested how Mourinho might utilise Ibrahimovic.

He said: “At the moment, if they’re going to play the same and you’re going to have possession of the ball obviously you’re going to say ‘Lukaku’ because he’s not going to be moving around.

“Even some of the little guys were nicking the balls. He needs the ball down the side.

“If you’re holding up the ball that’s not the man but Zlatan, that’s the man.

“That’s how I think Mourinho will like to play - ‘you play it up to me, I’ll hold it up and I’ll put people in’."

Manchester United’s next league fixture is a crunch clash with title rivals and neighbours Manchester City.

And despite failing to convert recent chances, Campbell still believes Lukaku will prove to be a success at Old Trafford.

“Man United is based on playing football - good wingers getting crosses in - so if they play to their philosophy, he should be fine.”